Quick disconnect coupling



Oct. 12, 1948. w, D, HENGST 2,451,218

QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING Filed July 13, 1945 .s ww 'Y INVENTOR W. D. HENGST ATTORNEY Patented Oct.v \12, 1948 2,451,218 QUICK mscoNNEc'r coUPLING Waiter D. Hengst, Roscoe, Calif., asnixnor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a

corporation of Delaware I Application July 13, 1946, Serial No. 683,400

5 Claims. l

This invention relates to quick detachable couplings for making and breaking connection between two iiuid lines and has todo particularly with the type of coupling that incorporates automatically actuated valves for closing the end of each line when the connection is broken. Even more specically, the invention relates to that type of coupling in which no air can be introduced into the line and no fluid can be lost from the line at thev time of making or breaking the connection.

An object of the invention is to provide a uid coupling of the type referred to that is relatively inexpensive to build and can be quickly connected and disconnected Without the application of large forces thereto.

Another object is to provide a fluid coupling of the type referred to incorporating a double seal for giving added insurance against leakage out of one of the lines when the coupling is disconnected.

Other more speciiic objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description to follow with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section showing the two members of a coupling in accordance with the invention, in separated relation;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation showing the two coupling members brought together in abutting sealing relation for forming a iiuid connection between two lines; and

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken in the plane III- III of Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1,` my coupling comprises a pair. of cooperating coupling members Ill andvII respectively which are adapted to be connected to separateiiuid lines ,and'which can be connected to each other to complete fluid connection between the associated lines.-

The members I and II constitute male and female members respectively, the member I0 having external threads I2 adapted to threadly engage internal threads I3 in the member iI.

The member I0 may conveniently be formed in two sections I4 and I5, which sections are connected together by screw threads I6, 'a seal b'etween the two sections being effected by a gasket I1 of rubber or. other lcompressible -materiaL The section I4: is shown as having external threads I8 and a bevelled end I9 for connection to a iiuid line in a known manner.'

The section I has a flat outer end 20 containing a central orice 2| which constitutes the outer end of a valve seat 22 which may be closed by a poppet 2l. the latter being constantly urged outwardly into closed or seating position by a. helical compression spring 24, which is compressed between a rear face of the puppet 23 and a, shoulder 25 formed in the section I4. 'I'he seat 22 communicates with a relatively large passage 26 in the section I5 immediately back of the poppet 23 to permit ow of fluid around the edges of the poppet when the latter is in open position. The rear end of the passage 2B communicates with the forward end of a tapered passage-28 in the forward end of the section I4, which in turn communicates with a straight passage 29 which extends to the left end of the section I4.

The other coupling member II includes as its main parts: a body section 3i), a body section BI, a swivel sleeve 32, a valve sleeve 33, and a valve element 34.

The body section 30 has external threads 35 thereon for connection'to a fluid line by known means, and is joined to the body section 3l by screw threads 36, a seal being effected between the two sections by means of a gasket 3i. The body section 3i has an outwardly extending iiange 3Ia which is adapted to be engaged by a removable retainer ring 39 in the swivel sleeve 32. The swivel sleeve 32 carries the internal threads I3 that engage the external threads I2 of the other coupling member I0, and the movement o the swivel sleeve 32 onto the member it carries the body section 3l toward the member II). The

`exterior surface of the body section 3i to the left -of the flange 3Ia is smoothly cylindrical and in sliding relation with the internal cylindrical surface of the valve sleeve 33, a round or 0 ring seal 40 being provided in a groove in the external surface of the body section 3l to prevent fluid leakage between these two parts.

Sleeve 33 is normally in extended relation with respect to the body section 3l because of a helical compression spring 42 which is compressed between the ange 3Ia of the body section 3| and a flange 33a on the valve sleeve 33. Movement of the valve sleeve 33 away from the body section 3I is limited by contact of the flange 33a with a shoulder 32a on the swivel sleeve 32.

The forward end of the valve sleeve 33 is thickened internally to provide a front annular face 5l which is adapted to bear against the face 20 on the complementary member Il. y This face 5,1 contains an annular groove containing a gasket 58 which eiects a seal against the face 20 of the complementary member when the two members are screwedtogether.

I external thread I2.

The valve element 34 consists of a poppet section 44 at the right end, a piston section 45 at the left end, and an intermediate waist section 46 which interconnects the sections 44 and 45. Normally the poppet 44 seats against a seat 41 in the body section 3I, to prevent flow of fluid from right to left through the coupling. v'll'he poppet is urged into closed or seating position by a compression spring 48 which is compressed between the right end of the valve element 34 and a. shoulder 49 in the body section 30. Under certain conditions to bel described later, the valve element 3-4 is moved to the right, compressing the spring 48 in so doing. Such movement to the right is limited by contact of a frusto-conical face 50 on the right end of the valve element 34 with a discontinuous annular shoulder 5I on the left end of the body section 30. The shoulder 5I is discontinuous to provide windows 52 through which iluid can flow past the conical face 50 when the valve element 34 is lin the extreme right position.

When the coupling is broken as shown in Fig. 1, the coupling member II is sealed against escape of uid from the bore 53 thereof, Iby seating of the poppet 44 against the seat 41. Leakage is further prevented by the fact that the piston section 45 of the valve element 34 is positioned within a bore '55 in the thickened left end of the valve sleeve 33 and is sealed with respect coupling, they are brought together and the' swivel sleeve 32 of the member Il is screwed onto the male thread I2 of the coupling member I0. As is apparent from inspection of Fig. 1, the swivel sleeve 32 extends beyond the face 51 of the coupling member I I, so that there is no dini-- culty in starting the internal thread I3 onto the No resistance to this connection is offered until t-he face 51 of the member II seats against the face 20 of the member I0. Thereafter, the body sections 'and 3l are car-l ried to the left by the swivel sleeve 32, while the valve sleeve 33 remains stationary. Initially, the valve element 34 also remains station-ary, because its left end abuts -against the end of the poppet 23 inthe member IG. 'Therefore the leftward movement of the ibody section 3l by the swivel sleeve 32 breaks the seat 41 away from the poppet portion 44 of the valve element 34, to Iproduce uid connection between the bore 53 and thebore yof the valve sleeve 33. However the seal 56 is s-till effective to prevent the flow of uid between the two coupling members and II.

Continued movement of the body sections 33 and 3l to the left carries the discontinuous shoulder-5l against the face 50 of the valve element 34 so that further movement of the body sections 30 and 3l carries the valve element 34 therewith. Since the valve sleeve 33 is restrained vfrom movement 'by contact of its left end face 51 with the face 20, the piston section 45 is carried out of the bore 55, opening the poppet 23 in the process, and establishing free passage for fluid flow through the coupling. This -condition is shown in Fig. 2.

' To disconnect the coupling, the swivel sleeve At the time the two members Ill and I I are brought togethen. there is no space therebetween 'for' the trapping of air which might later be introduced into the line when the members are fully Joined. Likewise when the members are separated there is no fluid lost from the line.

It will be noted from Fig. l that there is a double seal in the member II, one between the valve seat 41 and the poppet 44, and one between the bore 55 and t'he piston 45. However, this double seal is not essential and under some circumstances it may be desirable to' dispense with the seat 41 and/or Doppel: 44. Thus the seat 41 can be interrupted like'the shoulder 5I.

The coupling is composed of few and simple parts that are easily manufactured and easily assembled.

. To insure opening of the poppet 44 away from the seat 41 when the two members of the coupling are connected together despite high pressure in the bore 53, it is desirable to have some stop means for limiting opening movement of the poppet 23. This stopping function can be per` formed -by the spring 24'. Thus the spring can be so dimensloned that successive turns contact each other atthe desired fully opened position of 'the poppet 23. As a result further movement of the two members lll and II again causes the poppet 23 to press against the valve element 34 and positively move the latter to carry the pop- .pet 44 away from the seat 41.

It is to be understood that although for the purpose of explaining the invention, a particular embodiment thereof has been disclosed in detail, various departures from the exact construction shown can be made 'Without departing vfrom the invention which is to be limited o nly to the extent set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A uid-conduit coupling comprising: two detachably connectable conduit members; one of said members having an inwardly movable spring-seated valve and an annular sealing surface surrounding said valve; the other member having internal and external elements; said cxternal element having a sealing surface for contacting and sealing with said sealing surface of said one member and having a passage terminat- 32 is unscrewed from the member I0, permitting ing in a cylindrical surface adjacent its outer end; means supporting said external element in reciprocal, sealing relation with respect to said other conduit member between an extended position and a retracted position; means for moving said conduit members together whereby said external element is shifted from its extended to its retracted position by force ythereagainst of said sealing' surface of said one member; means supporting said internal element for reciprocal movement with respect to said other Vconduit member; said internal element' having a piston adjacent its outer end that seals with said cylindrical surface of said external element when the latter is in its extended position and that extends beyond and is clear of said cylindrical surface when said external element is inretracted position. y

2. A coupling as described in claim l in which said internal element is movable longitudinally between inner and outer positions andincludes a poppet section, and said other member includes a seat cooperating with said poppet section to block fluid flow through said other member when said internal element is in its`outer position and permit uid ow when the internal element is in its inner position, said internal element being moved from its outer to its inner position by said spring-seated valve in response to movement of said two members together.

3. A coupling a-s described in claim 1 in which said internal element comprises a solid waistsection of reduced lateral dimensions adjacent said piston and means at-the inner end of said waist section for limiting longitudinal movement of said internal element relative to said other member.

4. A coupling as described in claim 1 in which said internal element has a poppet section at its inner end and a waist section oi' reduced lateral dimensions interconnecting said piston and said poppet section, said other member deiining a valve seat for sealing with said poppet section and limiting outward movement of said internal element, and deiining shoulder means for contacting said poppet section and limiting inward movement of said internal element while permitting iiuid ow past said popped; section.

5. A coupling as described in claim 1 in which said internal element is movable longitudinally between inner and outer positions, and includes a poppet section, and said other member includes 'a seat cooperating with said Donnet section to block fluid iiow through said other member when said internal element is in its outer position, and permit iluid ilow when the internal element is in its inner position, spring means urging said intornai clement from its inner to its outer position, said spring means being weaker than said springseated valve, whereby said spring means is overcome and said internal elementis moved from its outer to its inner position by said spring-seated valve in response to movement of said two members together.

WALTER D. HENGBT.

. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED sTATEsPATENTs 20 Number Name Date 879,880 Landau Feb. 25, 1908 1,335,521 .Murphy -Man 3, 1920 2,254,997 Fisher Sep. 2, 1941 2,311,239 Main Feb. 16, 1943 25 2,391,022 Main Dec. 18, 1945 

